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Trip from Weston, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

42m

Distance

28 mi

45 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 39m ★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Weston, NJ, NJ

Weston, NJ

MINEIA MARTINS

Downtown Elizabeth, NJ, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 28-mile drive from Weston to Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a quick trip that can easily be completed in about 42 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with about 75% of the journey on interstates and major roads like I-287 and US 1. Expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this short distance. Given that both the origin and destination are within the Northeast region and the state of New Jersey, you'll be navigating familiar territory without crossing state lines. This is a straightforward drive, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 42m. Total distance: 28 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The character of this drive is largely defined by its highway-focused profile, with 75% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I-287, experiencing its typical interstate conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.9 miles on I-287, allowing for a sustained period of highway driving. While Weston Canal Road is part of the journey, the overall feel leans heavily towards efficient travel on major thoroughfares rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a dynamic shift as you transition between these different road types, with the interstate sections offering a brisk pace.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 287 and US 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 533 / South Main Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 28 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 42m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 533 / South Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.9 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 533 / South Main Street

Turn sharp right onto CR 533 / South Main Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 287

Merge onto I 287

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
14.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward US 1 North: Newark

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1A Toward US 1 North: Newark
5
15.2 mi into trip | ~20m in | US 1

Merge onto US 1

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
25.3 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / East Edgar Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 287 10.9 mi 12m
US 1 10.1 mi 16m
Weston Canal Road 2.6 mi 4m
Carlton Street 1.5 mi 2m
East Edgar Road 0.7 mi 1m
Manville Causeway 0.4 mi <1m
South Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
East Jersey Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 287 — 10.9 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Weston, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ.

1

Start on Kennedy Boulevard

71 ft · 2 sec · Kennedy Boulevard
2

Turn sharp right onto CR 533

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Main Street
3

Turn left onto CR 623

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Wilhousky Street
4

Continue on CR 623

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Manville Causeway
5

Continue on CR 623

2.6 mi · 4 min · Weston Canal Road
6

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 287 South
7

Merge onto I 287

11 mi · 12 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 1A Toward US 1 North: Newark Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto US 1

3.9 mi · 5 min · US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 1

6.3 mi · 10 min · US 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Edgar Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on US 1; US 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · Carlton Street
13

Turn right

60 ft · 6 sec
14

Turn right

383 ft · 28 sec
15

Turn right

278 ft · 22 sec
16

Turn right onto East Jersey Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · East Jersey Street
17

Turn right

34 ft · 2 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$4.64 one way

$9.28 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $5.08 $10.17
premium $4.93 $5.43 $10.86
diesel $5.61 $6.18 $12.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.4 0 $2.94 $1.34
Efficient EV 7 0 $2.45 $1.12
EV Truck/SUV 11.2 0 $3.92 $1.79

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Weston, NJ

Night in Weston on Thursday

Local time

11:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elizabeth, NJ

Night in Elizabeth on Thursday

Local time

11:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

42m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Weston, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ covers 28 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 287, US 1, Weston Canal Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14 miles from Weston, NJ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 28 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 42m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 533 / South Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.9 miles (I 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Weston, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Elizabeth, NJ to Weston, NJ

Plan the drive back the other way.

27.7 mi 42m

Explore more options from Weston, NJ or browse trips ending in Elizabeth, NJ.

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